LIMERICK skipper Cillian Fahy hopes they can be heroes . . . just for one day.
The Treaty are gearing up for Saturday’s Tailteann Cup final against Kildare at Croke Park — as they chase down their first Championship silverware since the 1896 All-Ireland.
The hurling lovers in the county are well used to glory after John Kiely’s men won five All-Irelands between 2018 and 2023.
Their shock All-Ireland quarter-final loss to Dublin last month sent them crashing out of the 2025 Championship. But Jimmy Lee’s men are flying the flag this weekend.
Living in hurling’s shadow has not been easy but their Division 4 final win over Wexford in March was a taste of what followed.
Limerick took Westmeath’s scalp to top their Tailteann Cup group and banished Wicklow in the semis at GAA HQ to set up Saturday’s showdown against the Lilywhites.
And Fahy hopes their latest run to Croker can spark a new love for the big ball in the county.
He said: “It’s massive. You go into the city and in parts of the city we could be No 4 behind hurling, rugby, soccer . . . I was only thinking as well the other day, the league final was probably the first time a lot of kids in Limerick actually saw us play.
“We don’t have a big following, so to actually get on TV on the league final day was probably the first time a lot of people had seen us this year.
“So to get this far, to stay in the shop window as long as we have, to be on RTÉ two weeks ago and again this weekend is massive.
“It’s really important for children to see, kids to see that there’s a competitive team in Limerick and that there is a chance to get up to Croke Park and there is a chance to be competing for silverware.”
Rathkeale, Newcastle-West and Adare have always been football strongholds. But the bulk of the county gives hurling most of the love.
Billy Lee, and men like him, have kept football’s flames burning. In 2022, he led the county to promotion to Division 2 and a first Munster final appearance in 12 years.
His brother, Jimmy picked up the baton after a disastrous 2023 saw Ray Dempsey quit after five league games following a meeting with the players.
But the only way was up under the Newcastle-West native.
And Fahy has hailed Limerick’s brothers in arms for their dedication to the Treaty cause.
He explained: “Billy and Jimmy are two incredible individuals. Similar in ways but massively different in other ways.
“I suppose they’re both similar in terms of they’re well able to put an arm around a fella. They’ve great people skills. But they’re both well able to, if you’re not doing what you’re supposed to be doing, to let you know about it.
“I suppose they’re more similar than different. But look, they’re two great characters and they’re two massively important people in terms of Limerick football and the good things that have gone on in the last ten years.
“But, look, what Jimmy has done in terms of picking lads up off the ground last year and putting together, I suppose, a group this year that’s able to compete . . . Massive credit has to go to him for that.”
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Fahy turns 30 later this month. Climbing the Hogan Stand steps again would be the ultimate present — for him and those who have kept Limerick football alive.
He said: “Look, I suppose Limerick football is a small community. There are pockets all over the county that would be football.
“They have been there with us all the way throughout the league from January, all the way through and the years gone by.
“You see those people week in and week out at games. We might get a few extra now at the weekend. But look, that’s the people who are doing it for us.”
